Chinese University of Hong Kong Masterplan, Shenzhen, China

Fostering community in Shenzhen

Trio of practices completes university masterplan for a close-knit community

A master plan for a new campus for the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Shenzhen proposed by Rocco Design Architects, Gravity Partnership Ltd and Wang Weijen Architecture has been selected for execution among concepts by a number of top international practices including Arata Isozaki, Mecanoo, Urbanus, UN Studio, Morphosis and WSP.

The planning concept for the new campus is 'Academic Clusters, Campus Green and Natural Terrain'. The design team aims not merely to plan for the hardware of the university buildings, but through the master planning strategy to investigate the establishment of communities and the promotion of their interactions. It is the belief of the project team that a closely-knitted community with shared values is hugely important in the creation of a successful campus life of meaningful fulfillment.

Designed by the trio of practices for the Bureau of Public Works of Shenzhen Municipality and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the masterplan will create 301,370 sq m of active space for the university on a plot of 10,014,000 sq m. This will encompass teaching facilities, a library, teaching and research laboratories, a multi-use hall, administration offices, student amenities, an indoor sports hall, dining facilities and accommodation.

The master plan also attempts to allow sufficient flexibility in meeting any future expansion needs. The proposal is an assimilation of concepts covering sustainability, interfacing and integration with nature, reinforcing the college communities and multi-disciplinary collaborations and intellectual creativities. The building design work is currently on-going and construction work is scheduled to commence by the end of 2013. Phase one of the campus is expected to be completed by third quarter of 2015.